Jackson's family has been hit hard by the economic downturn. His mother, a music teacher, lost her job when California schools cut specialists jobs. NJackson's family has been hit hard by the economic downturn. His mother, a music teacher, lost her job when California schools cut specialists jobs. Not able to land another teaching job, she works two part-time jobs - one at a restaurant and one at a drug store. His dad is dealing with a serious health issue. Diagnosed with MS, he is no longer able to work like he used to be. As the story opens, the family is collecting belongings that they can do without for a yard sale. Not just things they don't need, but everything they can do without. Remembering a time in his past when his family was homeless, Jackson starts to wonder if history is repeating itself. As he deals with this, an imaginary friend from his past, a gigantic cat whom he named Crenshaw, shows up. Jackson hasn't seen Crenshaw in years. He's too old for an imaginary friend. Why is he back now? As Jackson tries to figure this out, he re-examines his past and draws parallels with his present. This story does a great job of exploring homelessness. Kids who read this will have a new respect and empathy for the homeless....more

Loved this book. Fifth grader, Tamaya Dhilwaddi is a student a Woodridge Academy, an exclusive private school in Heathcliff, Pennsylvania. A rule-follLoved this book. Fifth grader, Tamaya Dhilwaddi is a student a Woodridge Academy, an exclusive private school in Heathcliff, Pennsylvania. A rule-follower, Tamaya always does what she's told, including to walk to and from school with her 7th grade neighbor, Marshall Walsh. So when Marshall Walsh told her they were going to take a short cut through the woods behind the school, a place she's been told never to walk through, she has to decide which rule to follow. Knowing her mom would kill her for walking the mile plus distance home alone, she follows Marshall, thinking they are taking a short cut. Turns out that Marshall has no idea where he is going. He's really trying to avoid class bully Chad, who is going to be waiting for him on a corner of their normal route to beat him up. Not wanting to face that, this seems like a great alternative, until Chad finds them in the woods. When he starts beating on Marshall, Tamaya picks up a handful of some "fuzzy mud" she had noticed while she was walking in the woods and throws it at Chad, hitting him in the face. The two run until they find their way home. Tamaya realizes almost immediately that this is not ordinary mud. You see, her hand is tingling and she's broken out in rash. The next day, two things happen. That rash on Tamaya's hand has started to blister and Chad is reported missing. What's the deal with this mud and what has happened to Chad? The implications are frightening!...more

Ever since Castle's dad tried to shoot he and his mom, he's been running. That night he and his mom physically ran to Mr. Charles' store and he hid thEver since Castle's dad tried to shoot he and his mom, he's been running. That night he and his mom physically ran to Mr. Charles' store and he hid them in his back room until the police came and took his father away. Now that his father is in jail, he finds himself figuratively running away from his emotions or from whatever altercation occurred because he didn't run fast enough. So one day when he watches a local track team practice, he thinks he could run faster than any of them. In fact, he calls himself Ghost because he's so fast. When he barges onto the track and lines up with the sprinters, the coach tries to stop him, but as usual, Castle smarts off and the coach decides to let him run a race, thinking he will embarrass himself. But while Castle doesn't win, he holds his own and the coach invites him to join the team. After the coach convinces Castle's mom that this experience would help Castle deal with the emotions that get him into trouble at school, he joins the team. But dealing with the red hot anger and strong fear that Castle has dealt with since that fateful day with his dad proves to be more difficult than he thinks it will be and within 17 hours, he finds himself back in the principal's office. Will he be able to keep his life on track so that he can find out if he is a runner?

I really liked the book. I think it will appeal to my reluctant readers. It is short and suspenseful. ...more

When all of her friends abandon her due to her Japanese-American ancestry after Japan bombed Pearl Habor, Dash stays by her side, so when Mitsi is reqWhen all of her friends abandon her due to her Japanese-American ancestry after Japan bombed Pearl Habor, Dash stays by her side, so when Mitsi is required to leave him behind when her family is forced to move to an Internment Camp, it’s almost more than she can bear. But a kind neighbor, Mrs. Bowker, has agreed to take care of Dash, but for how long?

Though I enjoyed the book, I really wanted more with regard to the ending. Maybe Larson will write a follow-up....more

Ally Nickerson life isn’t all roses and balloons. Her dad has been called to active duty far away from home, her mom has had to work a ton and maybe wAlly Nickerson life isn’t all roses and balloons. Her dad has been called to active duty far away from home, her mom has had to work a ton and maybe worst of all, she can’t read – a secret she tries to hide by making her behavior the issue. Then one day a new teacher comes along, and he sees behind the façade and little by little, breaks through and helps Ally see that she isn’t dumb. She just thinks differently. And as her confidence grows, so does her world!

This is a well-written and inspirational story about a teacher who sees something no one else has been able to see and a young lady who refuses to give up....more

Livvy is a high school student who has already accomplished more than many adults. She is a well-known published author, and she knows it... My what aLivvy is a high school student who has already accomplished more than many adults. She is a well-known published author, and she knows it... My what an ego this girl has! When she has a chance to work at a writing contest with other popular authors, she jumps at it, for selfish reasons actually. Driving to the conference, she finds herself on a detour. A series of unfortunate events leads to her crashing her car. When a neighbor comes to help, she thinks everything will be okay. Instead she finds herself beaten and locked in a basement, held captive by people whom she's never met. It seems that she is being presented with a puzzle. Somehow there is a reason she is here and Livvy must find the connection in order to have any chance to escape.

While this book was suspenseful and well-written, I really found myself disliking the main character. I didn't feel like she had any redeeming qualities, which made it really difficult to cheer for her - a must in a suspense - survival story....more

In this world, your blood is all that matters. Mare is a commoner. Marked by her red blood, she had no real talents unlike the Silvers who possess supIn this world, your blood is all that matters. Mare is a commoner. Marked by her red blood, she had no real talents unlike the Silvers who possess supernatural abilities. Consequently, she is waiting to be drafted into the army to fight a battle that is not her battle for the Silvers who she hates. Out of nowhere, a handsome gentleman who turns out to be a prince, gets her a job at the Palace to keep her safe. It is here that Mare learns that she does have a special talent so powerful that she scares the Silvers. Immediately the King and Queen go into damage control mode. They can't let the Reds know about her powers. If they did, they might find others like her. When the King and Queen decide to hide her in plain sight, she should be thrilled, but she is terrified. Mare is not one to follow orders but her desire to keep her family safe and possibly aid the Scarlet Guard, a group of Rebel Reds plotting to overthrow the King.

I thought the story started slowly, but once it picked up, I really enjoyed it....more

When Zenji Watanabe is recruited to join the army, he couldn’t have imagined what they have in mind for him. Born in Hawaii to Japanese parents, the gWhen Zenji Watanabe is recruited to join the army, he couldn’t have imagined what they have in mind for him. Born in Hawaii to Japanese parents, the government wants to use him as a spy. Code name: Bamboo Rat.. Because he is Japanese able to speak the language fluently, the government believes he can spy on the Japanese in and around Hawaii without being identified. He is sent to Manila and embedded as a spy, living in a hotel frequented by Japanese business men. Every day, he goes to a fake job, leaves and mingles with the people, leading him time and time again into dangerous situations. If the Japanese discover his true identity, he will be considered a traitor to Japan and could be executed immediately. Can Zenji pull it off?...more

Ellie is shocked when her mother brings a thirteen year old boy home to live with them. Introduced to everyone they meet as a cousin from another statEllie is shocked when her mother brings a thirteen year old boy home to live with them. Introduced to everyone they meet as a cousin from another state, he is actually Ellie's eighty-something year old grandfather, Melvin. Melvin is a scientist who has discovered the secret to reversing the aging process. He experimented on himself, however, and this is the result.

With no access to his lab to recover his research and find a way to reverse the reversal, he is stuck living with his daughter as his guardian and attending the same middle school as his granddaughter. While he struggles to figure out how to break into his lab and recover his research, Ellie is trying to adjust to middle school. As the navigate this path together, Ellie finds out she has a lot in common with her grandfather - maybe more than she does with her own parents.

A delightful story of a bonding between generations with a lot of humor and a little adventure to go with it....more